Premium
Rubber toughening of poly(methyl methacrylate). Part II: Effect of a twin population of particle size
Author(s) -
Wrotecki C.,
Heim P.,
Gaillard P.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760310403
Subject(s) - crazing , materials science , composite material , natural rubber , particle size , methyl methacrylate , polystyrene , particle (ecology) , toughness , deformation (meteorology) , poly(methyl methacrylate) , izod impact strength test , polymer , copolymer , ultimate tensile strength , chemical engineering , oceanography , geology , engineering
Rubber toughened poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is reinforced efficiently by particles of a size of the order of 200 to 250 nm in the case of acrylic particles of core‐shell structure. In this study we have attempted to detect a possible synergy effect related to the presence of a twin population of particle sizes, as has already been observed, for example in high impact polystyrene. Two pairs of particle sizes were studied: (82,203) and (130,520) nm. The determination of the fracture mechanics parameters KIC and GIC under static and dynamic loading has enabled us to demonstrate a synergy effect in the case of the critical energy release rate GIC at a proportion of 50/50. Furthermore, this effect is verified in the case of the two pairs of particle sizes and in the case of the two speeds of loading. Nevertheless, this effect remains smaller than those observed in the case of materials which deform by crazing (HIPS, ABS). The rubber toughened PMMA deforms by shear bands and this mode of deformation seems to be less adapted to promote a synergy effect due to a twin distribution of particle sizes.